Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt:...after witnessing one of Wagner's music-dramas, he dedicated a book of songs to the composer of Tristan. Wagner himself once said that he would never forget that Franz was, after Liszt, the first musician who had done him justice. Franz is of particular interest to Americans, for it was here that his genius was first recognized and his songs most frequently heard, due primarily to the missionary spirit of Otto Dresel, of Boston, who was his most devoted friend, his best critic and his staunchest and most ardent admirer and advocate. Franz was always deeply grateful to America and Americans for the help extended to him from his admirers in this country during his time of need, and he never tired of expressing his appreciation and gratitude, and his indebtedness. His works are perhaps too scholarly and stately for general appreciation. He gravitated too much toward the times of Bach, the mediaeval choral and the folk-song to win the appreciation of the general public, but nevertheless his songs are most melodious. Franzl (frents.l), Ferdinand. Frescobaldi Franzl 1833. German violinist and composer, the son of Ignaz, Court chapelmaster at Mannheim. He was born at Schwetzingen, and was a pupil of his father, whom he greatly surpassed in later years. He entered the Court Orchestra in 1782, when only twelve years of age. Later he studied with Pleyel and Richter at Strasburg, and with Father Mattei at Bologna. Franzl accompanied his father on tours throughout Europe, visiting cities in Russia, Poland and other countries. He was concertmaster at Frankforton-the-Main, and a few years later director of a private orchestra at Offenbach. In 1806 he was_ appointed Court chapelmaster at Munich and director of the opera there, succeeding Cannabich. He retired on...